Sutherland,Demetriou support for World Cup bid

[Checker Hughes]

Join the bid
http://www.australiabid.com.au:


http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion...fans-will-behave/story-e6frfhqf-1225961186403
Andrew Demetriou
November 26, 2010
AUSTRALIAN sport fans have less than a week to wait before a decision on the hosting rights for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Having been to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, I know first-hand the excitement the event generates as a spectacle -- and the massive audience it attracts around the world.
There is also no doubt that Australians --and Victorians in particular -- love their sport and cannot get enough of it.
As a nation we love major sporting events. And we will support major sporting events that draw the best athletes from around the country or around the world, whatever the code.
A FIFA World Cup would give Australia another opportunity to build on our enviable reputation for running successful major sporting events.The AFL was one of the first sporting codes to signal our vocal support for the World Cup bid.
We are proud of our support for major events because we believe they enhance Australia's reputation as a quality sporting destination that delivers well-run, well-supported events that are safe, secure, affordable and family-friendly.
Sport in this country has always united people regardless of background.
Imagine Australia hosting the World Cup in 2022.Imagine the sporting smorgasbord of having Carlton and Collingwood play at Etihad Stadium, the Melbourne Rebels taking on the Waratahs in the ARU game of the week, the Melbourne Storm stepping out against the Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park, the US and Ghana clashing in a World Cup match at Skilled Stadium and England and Argentina striding out before a capacity MCG crowd.
What a celebration of sport!
What an advertisement for Melbourne as one of the most diverse sporting cities in the world.
And what an opportunity to see the best soccer players in the world while also showcasing our own indigenous game to the world.
I have seen first-hand the excitement of the World Cup. Like all Australians, I will be eagerly watching the announcement next Friday morning.




http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion...-next-generation/story-e6frfhqf-1225961188090

James Sutherland November 26, 2010

AUSTRALIANS are often surprised to learn Cricket Australia has been talking to football officials, government and media proprietors supporting our nation's host bid.
Surely cricket and soccer are in competition for spectators, players, facilities and sponsors, they say.
And of course, in many ways, we are.
But there are also common interests that unite the major sports in Australia.
Put simply, football is the world sport, and the FIFA World Cup is the world's biggest sporting event.
It is the world's biggest event, full stop, and winning the right to stage it would be great for Australia and for Australian sport.
Australia has shown it has what it takes to stage major global events, and the successful hosting of the football World Cup would showcase our nation to the world in a way that would be to the benefit of us all.
Sport is an intrinsic part of the Australian way of life.
It is a part of how we identify ourselves as a nation of different people but of common interests and values, such as good sportsmanship and outdoor life.
It is a thread that connects our nation as it grows in diversity by the day.
The World Cup would help to strengthen Australia's identity in the eyes of the world, but also in our own eyes as we continue to mature as a confident, cosmopolitan, multicultural community.
The last time the Ashes were here, the series created $317 million in economic activity -- including a mini-boom in tourism.
Holding the FIFA World Cup in Australia would have an even bigger impact on our nation.It is particularly motivating to those of us who have a passion for encouraging young Australians to put their computer games and consoles down, and step outside to run and jump, to chase, catch, hit and kick a ball.
It is events like the World Cups of cricket and football being held in Australia that will help inspire the next generation of participants and fans for all sports.
Australia's major sports are collectively convinced that appropriate sporting role models can encourage boys and girls to want to emulate them.Few of the kids who are inspired by their favourite cricketer, footy player, soccer star or Olympic athlete will go on to become elite athletes.
But they can be encouraged into lifelong healthy habits that come from playing sport and being physically active.
A FIFA World Cup in 2022 would excite and unite the kids of Australia.
Hopefully, many of them will venture outdoors to kick a ball around -- and stay outside to try other activities.
And if they do, hopefully plenty of them will find they enjoy the pleasure of physical activity.

 

[Zidane98]

Cricket and Football enjoy a great relationship, both the FFA and the ACB are always supporting each other's national teams. I don't think I have ever heard negative press from the cricketing media regarding football ever.

 

[Pessimistic]

Good news about the socceroos games on the anti-syphoning list eh ?

 

[Zidane98]

Good news about the socceroos games on the anti-syphoning list eh ?

Agreed. Although I reckon that some of the lower profile games, when the "ALeagueroos" are playing should be sold off to Foxtel.

 

[Checker Hughes]

http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/189885,parliament-united-for-final-bid-push.aspx
Parliament United For Final Bid Push
Nov 26 2010 23:05


AUSTRALIA Prime Minister Julia Gillard and opposition leader Tony Abbott do agree on something - that our nation has done a tremendous job in pushing its case to hold the World Cup and now they just want the right result to go with the effort.
Member of Federal Parliament donned bid scarves this week and both the Prime Minister and Mr Abbott were full of praise for the Frank Lowy-led team.
Like the rest of the country, they just want to hear FIFA bosses utter "Australia" in the early hours of December 3.
Speaking to MPs this week, Ms Gillard told the house: " In Zurich our nation is privileged to be represented by our first citizen, Her Excellency the Governor-General, along with the Minister for Sport, Senator Arbib, and an impressive delegation led by the remarkable Australian Frank Lowy.
"Frank’s passion has ensured a strong, compelling and unified bid. No nation could hope for a better case to be submitted on its behalf than that which Frank and his team have put for- ward. No-one could have prosecuted the case with more enthusiasm or zeal. It is a great bid and it de- serves a great result. Years of planning, years of striving all come down to the vote.
"We hope that the name ‘Australia’ emerges just as the word ‘Sydney’ emerged in Monte Carlo 17 years ago. Like then, our nation is united in anticipation and bonded together by hope. I wish our bid team all the best, and I am confident every Australian does so.
Mr Abbott also voiced his support for the Australian team's efforts so far. "I support the sentiments of the Prime Minister and point out to the House that Australia is the undisputed champion of the world at running sporting events.
"We ran the world’s best Olympics, we ran the world’s best Commonwealth Games, we ran the world’s best Rugby World Cup, and we will run the world’s best soccer World Cup if we get the chance. Like the Prime Minister, I place on record my thanks to Frank Lowy, who has been the chairman of the bid, and I wish our delegation led by the Governor-General every success."

 

[Watergate]

Agreed. Although I reckon that some of the lower profile games, when the "ALeagueroos" are playing should be sold off to Foxtel.

Future Anti-Siphon List: Football

Tier A (Broadcast on the main FTA TV channel)

* FIFA WC: 1/4 finals, Semi-finals & final
* Every match involving Australia

Tier B (Broadcast on any FTA TV channel)
* FIFA WC: All matches not included in Tier A
* FIFA WC Qualifiers: every match involving Australia
* English FA Cup Final

So, I doubt any matches on the anti-siphon list would feature mainly "A-LeagueRoos" - in WC Qualifiers in Asia it would be football suicide to not go in with your best team.

And, provided the competition is meaningful (not just practice matches) I think all matches involving Australian National teams - in any sport - should be on the anti-Siphon list, in the Tier B Category.

 

[Munro_Mick]

Come on you anti-AFL pro-soccer dunderheads - come on and tell us that Demetriou is lying through his teeth and not to be trusted and must have some secret agenda in this.



btw - the greatest irony out of Buckley at the FFA and Demetriou at the AFL and their common AFL background being that you'd have expected the Greek-Cypriot immigrants son to be the one pushing the soccer barrow.

It's a shame the World Cup bid got hijacked by the anti-AFL factions who just couldn't wait to try to kick and abuse the AFL rather than dealing with what WAS said, and dealing with individual issues on each of their merits (as, clearly, for venues, each has it's own context and it's own considerations).

If only the 'No worries' wasn't so superficial for the likes of the over zealous.

btw - can part of the WC budget be extended to Cricket Australia to buy a wicket today??

 

[Redb#]

Good move by Demetriou. Gives them nothing if it fails.

 

[Stevie80]

Too little too late from Demetriou, if he really wanted Australia to host the world cup he would have been alot more positive many months ago.

 

[mighty tiges]

Too little too late from Demetriou, if he really wanted Australia to host the world cup he would have been alot more positive many months ago.

The AFL offered its initial support way back in 2008 and signed the MOU in May FFS! And now Demetriou gives his own public show of support days before vote yet it's still not good enough for some

 

[Zidane98]

This should put to bed any of the ridiculous notions that the FFA was "out to get the AFL", some of the garbage posted by the anti football AFL fanboys on here just got ridiculous beyond belief.

 

[mighty tiges]

This should put to bed any of the ridiculous notions that the FFA was "out to get the AFL", some of the garbage posted by the anti football AFL fanboys on here just got ridiculous beyond belief.

The FFA did go behind the AFL's back and against the AFL's wishes that Etihad was off-limits. That started the whole argy-bargy. Buckley as a former AFL exec would've known the contracts in place so he was an idiot for allowing the FFA to waste time and persist with chasing after a stadium for the bid they had no chance of getting. Thankfully the Government taskforce stepped in and sorted it out with the MOU signed in May.

 

[Redb#]

This should put to bed any of the ridiculous notions that the FFA was "out to get the AFL", some of the garbage posted by the anti football AFL fanboys on here just got ridiculous beyond belief.

Well FFA fanboy of the highest order,

The FFA driven by Frank Lowy pushed their luck and got slapped down hard. It's old ground now, but the FFA should never have secretly pushed for the MCG and Etihad, they would have found a far more receptive even if begrudging AFL.

Demetriou is smart to come out and support the bid becuase either way the AFL is now in a good position and that could not make he happier.

 

[Zidane98]

The FFA did go behind the AFL's back and against the AFL's wishes that Etihad was off-limits. That started the whole argy-bargy. Buckley as a former AFL exec would've known the contracts in place so he was an idiot for allowing the FFA to waste time and persist with chasing after a stadium for the bid they had no chance of getting. Thankfully the Government taskforce stepped in and sorted it out with the MOU signed in May.

We are going over old ground here but the FFA was not responsible for venue selection; that was chosen by the Victorian State government. Further to the matter, it was commonly known that only one of MCG/Etihad would have been needed for the event itself.

The FFA were not out "to get the AFL" as many AFL fanboy lovers on here so often claim.

 

[Checker Hughes]

 

[Checker Hughes]

[youtube]IxDU2_HQUaw[/youtube]

 

[Munro_Mick]

We are going over old ground here but the FFA was not responsible for venue selection; that was chosen by the Victorian State government. Further to the matter, it was commonly known that only one of MCG/Etihad would have been needed for the event itself.

The FFA were not out "to get the AFL" as many AFL fanboy lovers on here so often claim.

How do you explain then that the Victorian Premier John Brumby in March (2010) this year explained on radio SEN (and articles quoting this are available - although, I was listening at the time, stuck in traffic on Burke Rd near the Monash overpass) that he'd first offered Geelong (Skilled Stadium) 18 months earlier. He explained that the FFA was still steadfastly pushing for Docklands (Etihad). That was March 2010.

Please tell me again your bulltish argument that the FFA wasn't responsible for venue selection.

Recall that it was the FFA that collected it's list of stadia that was made public around Oct/Nov 2009. The FFA had clearly ignored advice and (Buckley's) knowledge regarding Docklands. Who was driving this position?? Lowy?? FFA suits based in Sydney with a massive anti-AFL agenda??

Docklands was NOT, I repeat, was NOT put forward by Vic State Govt. Geelong was.

Do yourself a favour - read the article : http://www.theage.com.au/sport/socc...ong-venue-to-reluctant-ffa-20100302-peef.html

Premier John Brumby says he suggested Geelong's Skilled Stadium as a potential World Cup venue 18 months ago to a 'reluctant' Football Federation of Australia.
The Premier, speaking on SEN radio this morning, was further spruiking the use of an expanded Skilled Stadium to potentially help Australia win the right to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.
"The FFA has been obsessed about getting the MCG and Etihad (for their World Cup bid), and I think the history of that debate is now well known and that is that Etihad is not available," Brumby said.


Please show an ability to READ and comprehend.

Tell us why the FFA, if your assertion that Govts chose the venues, tell us why the FFA were described by a state premier as "OBSESSED" about getting the MCG/Etihad combination???

 

[McCrann]

How do you explain then that the Victorian Premier John Brumby in March (2010) this year explained on radio SEN (and articles quoting this are available - although, I was listening at the time, stuck in traffic on Burke Rd near the Monash overpass) that he'd first offered Geelong (Skilled Stadium) 18 months earlier. He explained that the FFA was still steadfastly pushing for Docklands (Etihad). That was March 2010.

Please tell me again your bulltish argument that the FFA wasn't responsible for venue selection.

Recall that it was the FFA that collected it's list of stadia that was made public around Oct/Nov 2009. The FFA had clearly ignored advice and (Buckley's) knowledge regarding Docklands. Who was driving this position?? Lowy?? FFA suits based in Sydney with a massive anti-AFL agenda??

Docklands was NOT, I repeat, was NOT put forward by Vic State Govt. Geelong was.

Do yourself a favour - read the article : http://www.theage.com.au/sport/socc...ong-venue-to-reluctant-ffa-20100302-peef.html

Premier John Brumby says he suggested Geelong's Skilled Stadium as a potential World Cup venue 18 months ago to a 'reluctant' Football Federation of Australia.
The Premier, speaking on SEN radio this morning, was further spruiking the use of an expanded Skilled Stadium to potentially help Australia win the right to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.
"The FFA has been obsessed about getting the MCG and Etihad (for their World Cup bid), and I think the history of that debate is now well known and that is that Etihad is not available," Brumby said.


Please show an ability to READ and comprehend.

Tell us why the FFA, if your assertion that Govts chose the venues, tell us why the FFA were described by a state premier as "OBSESSED" about getting the MCG/Etihad combination???

I agree with you - but to be fair - its all a bit of a moot point now. Demetriou and Sutherland have publicly got behind the bid - again - the AFL-FFA fight needs to stop - at least for the moment.

 

[BobbyMorri]

there will be some hostile relations after the bid but it was good to see that the AFL(and every other major sporting organisation) let the FFA use some footage of the AFL Grand Final(Goddard mark was one little snippet) to show Australias love of sport.

 

[ErnieSigley]

So what if the FFA wanted Etihad? If the WC comes here, all other sports stops or falls into the background like it or not.
The AFL know it and are more scared of that than anything.

 

[Munro_Mick]

I agree with you - but to be fair - its all a bit of a moot point now. Demetriou and Sutherland have publicly got behind the bid - again - the AFL-FFA fight needs to stop - at least for the moment.

And so it should be - -

The AFL and Cricket Australia etc have clearly moved on.

I'm rather suspicious about the soccer fraternity however - - should the bid be lost, let me predict a fair amount of anti AFL vitriol.

I just want the couple of pro-soccer/anti-AFL zealots on here to admit that the FFA was clearly running against Govt advice with respect to Docklands and given that in March it still seemed an issue, that the complaints about the AFL and 2 days out from big book submission date etc - - - it might just be that the FFA had brought much of it upon themselves.

Anyway - the other codes moved on - but, since bid book submission, the pro-soccer fraternity has continued to bitch and moan about the AFL any chance they get.

It's an attitude that seriously tries the patience of AFL fans who otherwise MIGHT be 100% behind the bid.

 

[Redb#]

So what if the FFA wanted Etihad? If the WC comes here, all other sports stops or falls into the background like it or not.
The AFL know it and are more scared of that than anything.

Your entitled to your opinion. I think the balance is about right now re stadium use and the ability for the AFL season to continue in some form required Etihad. Pleased as punch about that.

 

[Munro_Mick]

So what if the FFA wanted Etihad? If the WC comes here, all other sports stops or falls into the background like it or not.
The AFL know it and are more scared of that than anything.

I kinda disagree.

That the FFA wanted Etihad AS well as the MCG and yet were willing to write off the MRS (AAMI park) illustrates a stuffed up process somewhere that looked too hard for FFA, or the State Govt or the Fed Govt or somebody..........and yet the AFL would carry the impost. So, really, somebody needed to be answerable, as MRS (AAMI park) was supposed to future proof the city - and it didn't. At any rate, the state ALP has lost office - despite not being held publicly accountable.

The FFA needs to accept a level of responsibility for pursuing Etihad in an 'obsessed' manner. After all, with Buckley on board, they knew what they were doing.

re sports during the WC. It'll be interesting. How many will reduce their AFL/NRL membership packages for that year? If I'm around, I'd probably only seek to go to a Denmark match if some relo's were over - - and then ensure I took them to the footy.

 

[Hoops]

And so it should be - -

The AFL and Cricket Australia etc have clearly moved on.

I'm rather suspicious about the soccer fraternity however - - should the bid be lost, let me predict a fair amount of anti AFL vitriol.

That's what I'm looking forward to most of all if we lose the bid. And it will even be made sweeter if Qatar win it. It will show up the FIFA as the corrupt organisation it is. I can't wait to point to the soccer hypocrites at how they proclaimed earlier on that the FIFA is soo big and how the AFL should just step aside as they have no influence what so ever over this bid. But at the same time it will be kind of cool to have the world cup, unless it turns into a Sydney wank-fest which is highly likely. But overall a win-win.

 

[Redb#]

That's what I'm looking forward to most of all if we lose the bid. And it will even be made sweeter if Qatar win it. It will show up the FIFA as the corrupt organisation it is. I can't wait to point to the soccer hypocrites at how they proclaimed earlier on that the FIFA is soo big and how the AFL should just step aside as they have no influence what so ever over this bid. But at the same time it will be kind of cool to have the world cup, unless it turns into a Sydney wank-fest which is highly likely. But overall a win-win.

Of course we'll win it with FIFA, we have Frank Lowy. It's home, done, signed.